Dispensing Nozzle Reference Positioning for Fast Accurate Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers face challenges in accurately and efficiently correcting positional deviations of dispensing nozzles due to increased reference position blocks, leading to errors and prolonged processing times, especially when high-speed or manual movements are employed.
Innovation Solution
An automatic analyzer equipped with a horizontal drive mechanism and contact detector to quickly and accurately calculate the coordinates of the dispensing nozzle's contact points with reference position blocks, using a control unit to manage the dispensing mechanism, allowing for rapid and precise correction of nozzle positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the dispensing nozzle is moved at high speed to bring into contact with the reference position block, then the correction value calculation processing time is reduced, but the dispensing nozzle is brought into contact with the reference position block in a bent state due to control delay, causing large position specification errors and decreased correction accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the dispensing mechanism near the reference position block before the actual contact measurement. The control unit moves the dispensing nozzle to a predetermined position close to the reference position block, then performs the contact detection. This preliminary positioning reduces the distance the nozzle must travel during contact detection, allowing for faster measurement while minimizing deflection effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces direct physical contact measurement with an electrical field-based detection method. The reference position block is equipped with a conductor, and the dispensing nozzle includes a contact detector that detects contact through electrical field changes rather than mechanical impact. This substitution eliminates the control delay issue associated with mechanical stopping, as the electrical detection can occur continuously during movement without requiring the nozzle to come to a complete stop.
2Measurement precision
If the dispensing nozzle is moved manually or at low speed to prevent deflection during contact with the reference position block, then correction accuracy is improved, but the time required for correction value calculation processing becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical contact detection with electrical field-based detection. The contact detector uses electrical field changes to detect contact with the conductor on the reference position block, eliminating the need for slow, careful mechanical positioning. This allows the dispensing nozzle to move at higher speeds while maintaining accurate contact detection, as the electrical detection does not require the nozzle to come to a complete stop or be positioned with extreme precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous movement of the dispensing nozzle during the contact detection process, rather than requiring stop-and-go measurements. The electrical field-based contact detector can detect contact conditions while the nozzle is in motion, allowing the correction value calculation to proceed without interrupting the workflow. This continuity maintains high productivity while achieving accurate position specification through the electrical detection method.
3Reliability
If multiple reference position blocks are provided to correct positional deviations for multiple dispensing mechanisms, then the comprehensiveness of correction is improved, but the complexity of correction value calculation processing increases and measurement cannot be performed during correction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a universal correction methodology that can be applied to any number of reference position blocks and dispensing mechanisms using the same electrical field-based detection approach. Each reference position block is equipped with a conductor, and the same contact detector and calculation algorithm are used regardless of how many blocks or mechanisms are involved. This universal approach maintains reliability for comprehensive correction while avoiding increased complexity, as the system scales linearly rather than combinatorially.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows measurement and analysis to continue during the correction value calculation processing for multiple reference position blocks. Unlike traditional methods that require stopping all operations, the electrical field-based detection enables continuous monitoring and measurement while the correction calculations are performed. This is achieved by detecting contact conditions without interrupting the overall measurement workflow, maintaining productivity even as comprehensive correction across multiple mechanisms is implemented.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and accurate calculation of reference positions, enhancing the correction accuracy and reducing processing time for positional adjustments of dispensing nozzles.
Implementation Method 1
a contact detector configured to detect contact of a tip end of the dispensing nozzle with a conductor; a reference position block that is a conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of quickly and accurately calculating a reference position. First coordinates and second coordinates are acquired and coordinates of a contact point where a tip end of a dispensing nozzle 54 is brought into contact with a reference position block 61 is calculated based on the first coordinates and the second coordinates, in which the first coordinates are coordinates of an attachment portion where the dispensing nozzle is attached to a horizontal drive mechanism when the dispensing nozzle is horizontally moved at a constant speed toward a side surface of the reference position block, a contact detector 58 detects that the tip end of the dispensing nozzle is brought into contact with the reference position block, and the horizontal drive mechanism is stopped, and the second coordinates are coordinates of the attachment portion where the dispensing nozzle is attached to the horizontal drive mechanism at a timing when the dispensing nozzle is horizontally moved at the constant speed in a direction away from the side surface of the reference position block from a stop position of the horizontal drive mechanism, the contact detector detects that the tip end of the dispensing nozzle is separated from the reference position block, and the horizontal drive mechanism is stopped.